Building construction



March 29, 1949. I o, s, JACOBSEN 2,465,687

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Filed Sept. 25, 1944 43 Sheets-Sheet 1 ZN .[4 I6 /p/a, 49' i J0 J4 v /6 FZ ,l Z

g g g )y I l Zi@ g March 29, 1949. o. s. JAcoBsEN 2,465,687

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 20w KQ BY //vj m/ Filed Sept. 23, 1944 March 29, 1949. o. s. JAcoBsr-:N 2,465,687

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. 23 1944 Patented Mar. 29, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Otto S. Jacobsen, Chicago, Ill.

Application September 23, 1944, Serial No. 555,487

(Cl. 'Z2-29) f 1 claim. l

'I'his invention relates generally to building constructions and more particularly to wall and door constructions made up of a plurality of precast concrete plates or slabs secured together by spacer members.

Various attempts have heretofore been made to enable floor and wall building structures to be constructed by interlocking a plurality of concrete slabs with spacer members interposed between the slabs. In a number of these prior structures with which I am familiar, certain problems and difficulties have been encountered which the present invention seeks to overcome. For example, it has not been uncommon heretofore, in the erection of oor and wall structures of the type referred to above, to experience considerable breakage during the assembly or interlocking of the constituent parts. In some instances this has resulted from the necessity oi inserting tongues on one part into complementary grooves in another part. In pre-casting either plates or spacing members dimensional tolerances cannot be held very close. In other words, considerable latitude must be allowed for variations in sizes of the interlocking parts. As a result, diiculty has been experienced in attempting to insert a tongue of one part into a complementary groove of another part without either obtaining a loose t or a fit s tight that breakage would ultimately result. The present invention contemplates a simplified slab and spacer construction in which the interlocking of the parts is accomplished in such a way as to preclude breakage which has heretofore been experienced, and also to enable interlocking of these parts with a minimum amount of effort and skill on the part of the workman.

Complications and inconveniences which have heretofore arisen in the assembly of tongue and groove structures have also been obviated by the present invention because the present invention contemplates an arrangement whereby the parts may be interlockingly associatedvwith each other by building one upon the other or one next to the other in a fashion which is as convenient and expeditious as the conventional practice of laying one brick upon or adjacent to another in the building of a wall.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a building construction as set forth above in which the constituent parts are extremely simple in structure and are capable of being pre-cast of concrete and the like with the utmost economy.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a wall or floor structure as previously identified, which lends itself readily for use with concrete ll poured into the areas between the wall or slab spacers.

The invention further contemplates a slab and spacer construction wherein the spacers may be adjustably positioned along the slabs 'soA as to accommodate openings as they may be required in any portion of the wall or floor, as, for example, to allow for windows, doors, pipes, stairs, skylights, and the like.

Another object of the present invention is to provide, in the wall or oor construction referred to above, slabs which because of the presence of an intermediate strengthening rib, will eiectively resist tendencies to crack.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages Will be more apparent from the following description, when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure l is a perspective view showing a fragmentary portion of two intersecting walls and a iioor constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the line 2 2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along the line 3 3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of two pairs of opposed wall 'plates or slabs and spacing members, the upper slabs of one pair being displaced upwardly to more clearly illustrate the simplified interlocking arrangement contemplated by the present invention;

Figure 5 is a perspective View of a pair of wall plates or slabs and a pair of companion spacer members disassociated from each other to more clearly illustrate the-structural details thereof;

Figure 6 is an enlarged perspective view taken from the left of Figure l to more clearly illustrate the manner in which the present invention enables the concrete fill to extend completely around the building at the juncture of the oor and wall, and the manner in which this portion of the ll ties in with the vertical ll portions;

Figure 7 is an enlarged perspective view of the lower right hand corner of Figure 1 to illustrate the manner in which the lill extending in the form of beams transversely of the iioor ties in with the concrete fill within the wall structure;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a wall constructed Without the use of concrete ll;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of one of the spacer blocks illustrated in Figure 8; and

Figure 10 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view of the wall structure taken substantially along the line IIJ- I0 of Figure 8.

Referring now to the drawings more in detail, wherein like numerals have been employed to designate similar parts throughout the various figures, it will be seen that for purposes of illustrating the invention, the same has been shown in its practical application to wall and floor sections. In the `drawings the walls are designated ever, this is not essential to the satisfactory use of the invention.

After the rst or lower-most row of plates I8 and 2D havebeen positionedininterlcling relaspacer member `22, companion spacer members -.x. may now be lowered into position. For example n Figure 4, after the lower-most wall plates fi' vIii-ieZ'ILlfiai/e been interlocked With the upper half tained in spaced relationship by means,ofgspaceglg.,ogthe A,lower-most spacer members, these Walls members 22.

It will be noted that the.-5.WalLifs'labs'-;IBriand 2R are of identical construction, each hayi ggan intermediate longitudinal protuberance 24;

and rtheir associated spacer members are in posi- =sctioncto.receive'-spacer members to interlock with theupper shoulders 26 of the Wall protuberances `24.`"These spacer members may be conveniently TheSe Drtuberances -Xtend longitudinally and 15 lowered into position so` as to bring the lower-most -are disposed. irl/pairsI soi-that? vthe protuberances -on oppositely disposedbfplates -'Zt-,extendntoward-'each' otherffrornv the innerlside: ofitheir.; rei spective plate. The upper'fandlA lower.. margin-.of

undercut yshoulders-l 28 of the-spacer=membersinto interlocking association #with the pper-most shoulder-26 `ofthe-oppositely dispose Ywall plates l I $420. After these spacer membersshavef-been the protuberances' 24 'providenndercut shoulders zo p1aced in position asfiuustrated .mamme-@gg 26. These undercut shoulders'.2Iiare..de'signed to interlock withcomplimentary.undercut-shoulders 28 provided along oppositely ydisposetlmarv gins of .each spacer.member22yl'igure 5.

to interlockthe Ylower-most shoulders `26'o`f-these "plates with the-upper-most shoulder-S928# of the spacer members 22. #This pperationmaybe-'con- `Isinued yuntil the-desired height-ofwall-isobtained The undercut shoulders yolthespacer members.,25 It Wm bgefapparenufrom the foregoing despipor blocks 22 are .provided at. 4opposite.extremities or Amargins of protuberances: 30.4 :'.Upper and #10W- er margins or extremitiesrof each: spacer .member 22 presentsspacer sections: 32,'whchare adapted tion-that-the spacer'inembers mayvbe spacedalong f the protuberances ofthe plates in Iany desired rellationrship: When itisrequired-to provide adoor yopening or Window in the Wallthewall#plates to be positioned. betweensoppositelyfdisposedpro- M301and gpaermembersmay beomigtedy ahead..

tuberancesZ of the plates` I -;2Il,':l as clearlyillusvtrated in Figures 1, 4. and 6.g-Theverticallength l of: thel spacer; sections 32. is substantially `equal to one-half the Width.of. the;pl'ate.protuberances '-justable l positioning rofl theA spacer\mernbersiacil YAitates-the ease lwith which theselopfeningsmaybe j yprovided. Likewise there is `no limitationeasto t-the length ofthe Wall -thatfmayA-be-erectedsand 24 thereby enabling thel'SeCtOllazOf. onefspacenjfvva th espace11 members. maspbe Set .os,.^positionedto member and the'sectiorr'aZvofsthe adjacent-spacer member to cooperate inl securingy oppostelyadisposed platev protuberances'f-M in spaced .relation- 1 ship.

sitemarginsof eachtplate protuberance: 24..'has a Width .which isu'substantially:.equal'atof-oneehalf of the verticaly lengthbfethesspacersprotuberanc es 30 .thusi these spacer.- protuberancesz :are

V,jacent plates :Figure and-Lonoppositesidesfvby the .protub'erancez shoulders, i2 6.: i' .Iriathis "manner the protuberancesy 30 of each spacerxmember is "'-sizesbfWhen v"desiredsconcrete VilIGli-nay1 be-inx'troducedrbetween i-the spaoi-ng membersf 2,-as f-clearlyn-illustrated in Figure 2.v ."Cone'rete 62cooperates with-the spacer membersif22 Aink-binding v,adapted to completely: seal orinterlock. with. thegffis the. .Wall plates together- The-invention is by -no-means limitedfto-the-use fof @theY described lplates and -'spacerfm'einbers-l sin --Wa1ls butJ contemplates-the applicationoflthese fsparts'to'-floorsas`-Well.iIn Figures lf; 3;V tif-and 7 capable of making a dovetail interloclzwvith` 22.-QW fgoor is.designatedgenefanyaby,themmbefig2 pair of adjacent-Wall plates-IB'or a '.pairlv of.;ad jacent outer Wall platesv 20.

One of the important;advantagesaffordedby the present invention resides in .the "factxthat, the

It will beseenthat this flooncomprisesfaeplurality of adjacently positioned upper-'iioorefplates;-or slabsl 8a andloWer floor plateshZila. f' N'Ihe floor/slabsI-Sa-Zavare separated'byspacer or interlocked one upon.' therother in a-.lrvery simple manner. In factfthese partsmaybeiplaced one upon theothermuch in thesame .wayfconventional brick yor blocks :arevlaid onefuponzzthe f :jection 24 as.'pr=eviously described. Wfl-hel .shoul- 't5dersf26 ofthe slabs1I8a420a interlo'ckl-'withom- L=p1ementary shouldersof the-spacer. members 2-2 in 'i .the manner previously .describecl=.in connection otherin the building of a VI'IaILzJAter aasuitablefrwiththe Wansrlabs. |.3 20 ..1nS1-,ead of positioning foundation has been laid a plurality of spacer blocks or members constituting.' theiupper ;half

of the spacer members 22, just describedfmaycbe distributed along the uppersurface ofthe..;foun

I Ila-20a adjacent y tolfwallxrl Il; rarel lfirst;:coupled 'with the 1 half section Iof .theespaceiwmember 22.

dation. rSee forexamplein Figure 4;'.Whereil-the'-Thenithe next'fspacermemberf isfassociatedfwith plates I8 and 2li are linterlockedwith :theupper half of spacing member-22. -Tot1associateathe plates I 8--20l with complementary'spacing-members 22 it isaonly necessaryV tovlowerfthe/plates ders .26 of the -protuberancesf24-with1thevupper shouldersv 2B of,y the spacer mem-ber.' 22.

. In instances Where it is desirable, bindingina- '.terials .such as mortar. forL :cementzfrnayf,v bei. emaployed-fbetweerithe interlockingshoulders...-

into position vso.as to interlock.theilower;'shoule7oif3a .asshown -invFigure 3J; IThe .concreter`36a is poured betwe en: spacer members 2 2fffroml the Atop xfof thefioor and it iszimportant to notefthatacn `:fe-crete*-3Iaand'the concrete?.36previouslyedescrib'ed join as an integral mass atetheajunctionf fhthe trated in Figure 6. In instances where it is desirable suitable reinforcing bars may be laid within the concrete.

Figures 6 and 7 illustrate the manner in which the oor and walls may be joined. Figure '7 illustrates the manner in which the concrete 36a joins with the concrete 3S" in securing the two sections together. In Figures 6 and '7 the upper margin of one wall and the lower margin of the upper wall join with a section which has been designated generally by the numeral 40. This section lli) may extend completely around the floor and includes vertical wall slabs or plates lf3-2i) coupled together by upper and lower spacing members 22a. This construction may be eliminated in instances where it is not necessary to join a floor margin to upper and lower Walls. It will be noted that the inner and outer slabs associated with the spacer members 22a are of a vertical Width which is less than the plates or slabs previously described in that they must be the same in vertical width as the overall vertical dimension of the oor l2.

In Figures 8, 9 and 10 a wall designated gener ally by the numeral Ib is shown. This wall 10b is made up of inner and outer slabs or plates i8 and 20 respectively which are identical in construction with the wall slabs previously described. Particular attention is directed to spacing members 22h. These are substantially similar in structure to spacer members 22 previously described except that the spacing members 22h are greater in thickness. This increase in stock thickness precludes the necessity of employing fill between the spacer members. Identifying numerals have been employed for the structural details of the parts shown in Figures 8 to 10 inclusive which correspond with previously described details of Figures l to 7 inclusive.

It has been found practical to produce the plates and spacer members of the present invention of either concrete or lighter materials capable of being poured, such as a material known on the market at "Waylite and other similar materials have proven satisfactory. It will be noted that in instances where required, recesses 42 may be provided in the spacer members 22 to accommodate pipe, conduits and the like. Other sizes and shapes of recesses may be provided to accommodate needs incident to the use of the slab and spacer structures. By having the protuberances 24 extending longitudinally and intermediate of the margins of the wall plates, considerable strength is contributed to the plates. In other words the protuberances 24 not only provide a simple and effective interlocking means but also a means for contributing considerable strength to the plates. It will be apparent from the foregoing description that a wall or oor may be constructed by the use of slabs and spacer members of the present invention with a minimum amount of effort and skill on the part of the builder. Also, the present invention eliminates the necessity of driving or inserting keys within longitudinal grooves and hence breakage of parts is reduced to an absolute minimum. That is to say, in using the plates, or spacer member or blocks, these parts are built one upon another or one adjacent another without the necessity of forcing a key of one part longitudinally into a keyway or aperture of another part. Also, the parts described herein may be manufactured or preformed with the greatest economy and without the necessity of employing special machinery and equipment. Hence the present invention makes it possible to erect a building of sturdy construction with the greatest economy. Walls and floors constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention are not only exceptionally strong and rigid but provide insulated air spaces which materially contribute to their usefulness. Both the interior and exterior surfaces of the slabs permit of the application of coatings thereto. In some instances it may be advantageous to apply a thin brick veneer to the exterior surface or a coating of cement, merely for the purpose of ornamentation. Likewise the interior surface area makes it possible ci receive a covering of cement, plaster, or the While certain detail structural features have been disclosed and described herein, it will be obvious that the present invention is not limited to these structural details but is capable of other modifications and changes without departure from the spirit and scope of the appended claim.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

A building structure including two spaced and parallel sections each comprising a plurality of elongated plates with the longitudinal edges thereof juxtaposed, said plates having substantially centrally disposed elongated ribs disposed longitudinally thereof and extending inwardly toward and directly opposite the ribs of opposed plates, the ribs of each section being parallel and of uniform cross section, and each rib having undercut edges providing shoulders whereby to form mating shouldered recesses between the juxtaposed edges of two adjacent plates in each section, and relatively narrow spacer members interposed in spaced pairs between opposed plates to form passages between opposed sections, each spacer member having oppositely disposed and outwardly extending shouldered projections complementary with the mating recesses between the shouldered ribs of opposed pairs of plates and fitting therein to lock together adjacent plates of opposed sections, said spacer members being shiftable laterally with the projections thereon slidable along mating recesses to selectively vary the passages between said spacer members.

OTTO S, JACOBSEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 707,444. Moses Aug. 19, 1902 910,571 Peterson Jan. 26, 1909 1,378,139 Sawyer May 17, 1921 1,384,003 Thompson July 5, 1921 2,134,894 Schubert Nov. 1, 1938 

